Chapter four: Echoes of the Past

After several missions that involved diplomacy, Qui-Gon started quizzing Obi-wan about the various places they would go to. He pointed out to his padawan that knowing the enemy, or the terrain would often give the advantage that meant the difference between life and death. Death was a very real possibility. Xanatos had been stalking them. His master wasn't say as such, but Obi-wan could sense the stress in his master. Not mention he too, recognized the sinister taint of Xanatos. However, the task at hand much more stressful. He was going back to Naaden. Back to his family. It wasn't seeing his family that worried him, it was what his master would think.

Obi-wan knew that he was constantly being measured against Qui-Gon's memories of Xanatos. He threw in extra hours of light saber practice so he could be as good as Xanatos. Extra study hours as well. Acing his homework, quizzes, and exams were paramount. No matter how hard he tried though, Qui-Gon never acknowledged his hard work. Is it because I'm still not as good as Xanatos? However, he more pressing demands.

As he researched Naaden, and it wasn't hard since he knew most of the information, he worried about his master's reaction to seeing Obi-wan's family. Obi-wan never told Qui-Gon that he watched his master kill his uncle. He was embarrassed that such a thing was what set down the path of becoming a Jedi. What if Qui-Gon thinks I'll be like Xanatos? After all, watching Qui-Gon kill his father is what drove Xanatos over the edge. I don't feel like that all, but how will I be able to convince Qui-Gon of that?

A low, despairing moan escaped him. He needed to tell Qui-Gon what he had witnessed, but he was wary of the reaction. What if his master decided that Obi-wan would go down the path to the Dark Side, and refuse to have him as his padawan? How could he prove his worth to his master? Plus, there was another worrisome matter. What would his mother think?

Although the Jedi Temple didn't encourage contact with family, Obi-wan wrote a lengthy letter to his mother every month about his progress at the temple. He told her all the things he couldn't tell his friends, and now that he was a padawan, the things he couldn't tell his master. Somewhere, deep down inside of him, he had hoped that his mother would never met Qui-Gon. He viewed Qui-Gon as a father, and he didn't know how his mother would react to that.

Before he could continue thinking such thoughts, he felt his master enter his rooms. The bond between the two of them was very strong, and he was constantly reinforcing his shields to keep his master from finding out his dilemma about going back to Naaden. Not the wisest thing to do...but what other choice did he have? Qui-Gon spoke softly interrupting his thoughts.

"Do you have something you need to tell me, padawan?" Qui-Gon spoke softly. Carefully he watched Obi-wan's reaction both from what he could see, and what he could feel through the bond. Obi-wan was hiding something from him. For the life of him though, he couldn't figure out what. What was distracting his padawan so badly? His reaction times were slower during practice, his sewing skills were slipping, and twice already he had burned dinner! No matter how often, or gently he asked, Obi-wan refused to tell him the problems. Qui-Gon knew he could order his padawan to answer, but he got the impression that wouldn't work out as planned. Briefly he could feel the despair through the bond, and the whiteness in Obi-wan's face, but the boy seemed to shove these emotions aside and composed himself.

"No, master. I finished my report on Naaden, though. The planet is in the Outer rim territories. It is a small rocky planet with a population of just under one billion people. It is evenly split between ocean and land mass. Most of the landmass is tropical forests. It's largest city is the capital, but it has four decent sized cities surrounding the capital. The primary export is exotic plants grown only those rainforests. The planet is mineral poor, and relies heavily on trade for minerals, metals, and food. The Capital is Nadin, and has a population of ten million people. The planet is ruled by a council, headed by a King or Queen. And..." so Obi-wan rattled off facts for another three minutes, giving a complete summary. What he didn't mention, however, is that his mother was on the council.

He also didn't mention that it was his mother that spotted the trouble with trade exports, and had requested Jedi intervention herself, and had specifically asked for Qui-Gon. He knew he should tell his master, but the worry of turning out like Xanatos held him back. He also did not mention that it was his cousin, Gori, that was in charge of the trade imports himself. No good could come from this. At Qui-Gon's thoughtful nod, Obi-wan wrapped up his report. He was glad his master hadn't pushed the issue.

"Well done padawan. We'll be leaving for Naaden in under an hour. Be packed and ready to go by then," Qui-Gon ordered. "We're taking a special shuttle that will get us there in under three days. This mission has been deemed high priority." With that, Qui-Gon turned around slowly and headed towards his rooms to pack. Something about the mission was troubling Obi-wan, but he didn't know what. He would find out though. The boy needed to deal with this issue and find peace with the Force. It was his job to help his padawan find peace with himself. If only Obi-wan would let him! If he didn't already have grey hair, he would swear the boy was giving him some.

Obi-wan spent most of the flight out to Naaden in meditation. It was the only way he could avoid Qui-Gon the small ship. The pilot was polite, but stoic. The food came prepared and tasted like ashes in his mouth. Qui-Gon brought up what was bothering Obi-wan twice, and his prompt responses was, "let me meditate about it, master." Obi-wan was immensely relieved that Qui-Gon accepted this response. However, he did get the distinct impression that his master was extremely displeased through the bond they shared. If Qui-Gon knew Obi-wan's true worry, he knew that the displeasure would be much, much greater.

The landing on Naaden was smooth. Obi-wan surveyed the city of Nadin. There were different shops, but the lookout was the same. It looks like nothing has changed. A second glance, however, changed that opinion. Everywhere he looked, people looked wary, and little worn out. Streets, buildings, and vehicles looked worn down or in bad repair. Something is wrong here...very, very wrong. It wasn't like this last time I was here. Before they were more than one hundred feet from the shuttle an envoy came up to meet them.

Obi-wan felt joy, followed by immediate dread. The person coming to greet them was his mother. He had half formed thoughts of warning his master before she got to them, but his mother was quick to arrive. Obi-wan stood slightly to the left and behind his master nervously awaiting his mother. What would his mother say? He quickly found out as his mother glanced disdainfully at Qui-Gon before turning her critical eye to him. His mother spoke to him briskly in his native tongue. This isn't going to be pretty...

;Obi-wan! It is good to see you. Has this man been feeding you properly? You look so skinny! And what are you wearing? Shouldn't you be dresser nicer?; His mother looked over him with a loving, yet critical look.

;Mother! I'm okay, honest. He's been feeding me well. I only look skinny because I'm growing, promise. I'm glad to see you and -; Before he could finish she strode right up to him, brushing past Qui-Gon.

"Excuse me, honored Jedi. Obi-wan! Stop looking so embarrassed and give me a greeting hug!" Obi-wan gave a tentative look at his master's face. It was completely unexpressive. Uh-oh. I'm in trouble. But he obediently stepped forward and hugged his mother. She clutched him close and he rested his head against her. Memories of her flooded him, bringing back warm thoughts of early childhood. When had she gotten so short? He wondered fleetingly. After a couple long secants he heard Qui-Gon cough briefly bringing his attention to the present. Startled he jumped away from his mother.

"Padawan, care to introduce me?" Obi-wan flushed scarlet with embarrassment. He doesn't sound very happy. Before he could respond, however, his mother looked Qui-Gon in the eye and beat him to the punch.

"Obi-wan didn't tell you," she said. Both adults gave the blushing boy a harsh look. "I am councilor Jani Kenobi, Obi-wan's mother. I requested you," she put a some emphasis on the word 'you', "to come here, because someone is stealing rare, extremely poisonous herbs. We must recover them before they can be used for great harm. I've tried relocating them, but..." Jani shrugged. "I'm glad you could make it on such short notice."

If it was possible for Obi-wan to become one with Force and disappear right now, he would have done it. The looks from Qui-Gon and his mother hurt. His mother looked angry, but for the briefest moments he thought he felt Qui-Gon being hurt at not being told. That, and he could sense a great deal of annoyance. Why did I think not telling him was a good idea? At least he doesn't know about Gor-wan...and I'm going to be doing 'learning exercises' for weeks because of this!

"Thank you Councilor Kenobi. It was a pleasure to meet you," Qui-Gon said politely. "May we please be shown to our rooms? I'd like to unpack then get right to work." And have a little chat to my padawan about keeping important secrets. Why would he not tell me? There is something more to this, but what? "Do you have any ideas, Councilor Kenobi?" As they walked towards the Palace, Jani walked on Obi-wan will be very helpful. He knows the native tongue, and has a good memory. We should wrap this up in less than a week.

"I have no idea," she growled. "But I would to talk to Gori first. He is the one in charge of trade exports. The men answer to him, but no one is talking about it." Jani replied promptly. She was keeping a close eye on her son. Something was bothering him, and she had a hunch what it was. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Obi-wan. Keeping secrets won't do you any good. "Obi-wan, you shouldn't be surprised that Gori is following his father's footsetps."Neither adult could fully see Obi-wan, but both of them felt him flinch at Gori's name being mentioned. "Obi-wan...," his mother growled at the same time Qui-Gon spoke.

"Padawan," Qui-Gon said very softly. "What do you know?" Qui-Gon stopped walking and faced his apprentice. What he saw did not make him happy. Obi-wan was sweating nervously, was hunched down, and looked very, very nervous. His apprentice was keeping secrets, and that worried him. Obi-wan has never kept secrets from me before. Why in the Force would he keep them now? Something is very wrong here, and I will get to the bottom of this. I will do this his sake, and mine. He crossed his arms across his chest and glared at Obi-wan. Before he got an answer from his padawan, Jani spoke first.

"Oh, this is about Gor-wan isn't it." This came out as statement. Qui-Gon didn't turn to face Jani, he did see Obi-wan flinch. Where have I heard that name before? He kept quiet, hoping that Obi-wan, or Jani would tell him. Jani turned and faced Qui-Gon with an apologetic look on her face.

"Gor-wan was Gori's father, and Obi-wan's uncle. He was the previous Trade Master here. He was...," she paused thoughtfully before continuing "disposed of some time ago for corruption. Obi-wan watched it happen at a very young age. He is probably remembering that unpleasant experience. You should excuse his discomfort."

Qui-Gon went very, very still. Now he remembered Gor-wan. Almost a decade before he had summoned to this planet for a very similar purpose. There had been an altercation with one of the wealthy. The man had refused to stop and had attacked him and Xanatos with the intent to kill. He had been forced to kill him. He had killed someone Obi-wan loved? In front of the boy? Oh no... He didn't have to see Obi-wan to know this was what had been bothering his padawan so badly. He could feel the horror coming from his padawan through the bond. What have I done to the poor boy? Before he could say anything suddenly a disturbance rippled through the Force warning him of danger.

"WATCH OUT!" Someone screamed in a panic. Obi-wan whirled around faced the open market. BANG! An air rifle had been fired and something was headed towards him from the right. Behind him was a marketplace stall, to his immediate left was a wall, and front of him was his master, and his mother. He had nowhere to dodge! If he whipped out his light saber, he would injure someone. Oh no - suddenly a familiar shape stepped in front of him, taking the blow. NO! Obi-wan watched in horror as something struck his master.

Qui-Gon's first reaction was to protect his apprentice. He faced the same problem as his padawan, and had no room to activate his light saber. Not knowing what the danger was, only that he had to protect Obi-wan he reacted without much thought. To his surprise the blow didn't hurt much. A small dart with a very long needle struck him in the side. The needle was long enough to pierce the fabric and hit. A faint sensation of prickling needles spread outwards from the dart. Obi-wan...He could hear voices screaming at him, but they seemed far away. Before he could think another thought about his padawan darkness claimed him.